Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus may include a body over which may be secured a covering material. A plurality of strips of a natural product or a synthetic product that has the look of a natural product may be secured to the body over the covering material such that the display apparatus takes on the appearance of having been entirely constructed from a natural object. The body may be constructed of polystyrene and may be designed in a variety of shapes. The body may also include one or more recesses into which may be positioned a sound and/or light apparatus. The strips of material may include strips of birch bark that may be adhered over the covering material. One or more floral arrangements may be also positioned on or secured to the display apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/692,937, filed on Jun. 22, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a display apparatus. More specifically, the invention concerns a display apparatus that may be used as a floral display and may include a body onto which may be positioned a strip(s) of material. The strip(s) of material, such as tree bark, may give the body the appearance of having been constructed entirely of natural materials.

2. Reference to Related Art

Displays that may be used with or as part of a floral presentation come in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, such displays may be formed of polystyrene or another lightweight material and be manufactured in a variety of shapes. However, in addition to these molded, synthetic displays, natural displays may also be used. For example, a bundle of straw may be wrapped with a ribbon of tree bark to create a display that has a stick-like appearance. However, notwithstanding these other types of displays, it would be advantageous to have a display apparatus that may feature a ridged molded core and a natural (or natural looking) exterior.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A display apparatus may include a body over which may be secured a covering material. A plurality of strips of a natural product or a synthetic product that has the look and/or feel of a natural product may be secured to the body over all or a portion of the covering material such that the display apparatus takes on the appearance of having been entirely constructed from a natural object. The body may be constructed of a layer or layers of polystyrene and may be constructed in a variety of shapes. The body may also include one or more recess areas into which may be positioned a media device. The covering material may include a contact paper or a vinyl covering that is adherable to the body. Further, the strips of material may include strips of birch bark that may be adhered in a partially overlaid pattern to the covering material. One or more floral arrangements or floral accessories may be also positioned on or secured to the display apparatus

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a planar, front view of an embodiment of a display apparatus constructed in accord with the present invention, including a floral element;

FIG. 2 is a planar, rear view of an embodiment of the display apparatus showing the use of a media device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a rear face of a horizontal crossbar and a front face vertical crossbar of a display apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a planar, front view of another embodiment of a display apparatus constructed in accord with the present invention being used as a picture frame; and

FIG. 5 is a planar, front view of another embodiment of a display apparatus constructed in accord with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A display apparatus may include a body over which may be secured a covering material. A plurality of strips of a natural product (e.g., wood) or a synthetic (e.g., a colored plastic strip) product that has the look and/or feel of a natural product may be secured to the body over all or a portion of the covering material such that the display apparatus takes on the appearance of having been entirely constructed (e.g., carved) from a natural object (e.g., a wood log). The body may be constructed of a layer or layers of polystyrene and may be designed in a variety of shapes. The body may also include one or more recess areas into which may be positioned a media device. The covering material may include a contact paper or a vinyl covering that may be adhered to the body. Further, the strips of material may include strips of birch bark that may be adhered in a partially overlaid pattern on the covering material. One or more floral arrangements (e.g., flowers) or floral accessories (e.g., flags, ribbons, streamers, toys, banners, candy, pictures, etc.) may be also positioned on or secured to the display apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a display apparatus 10 may include a body 12 over which may be secured a covering material 14. A plurality of strips 16 of a natural product (e.g., wood) or a synthetic product (e.g., plastic or like polymer) that may have the look and feel of a natural product may be secured to the body 12 over all or a portion of the covering material 14 such that the display apparatus 10 takes on the appearance of having been entirely constructed (e.g., carved) from a natural object (e.g., a wood log).

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the body 12 of the display apparatus 10 may be designed in the shape of a cross (see FIGS. 1-3). As such, the body 12 may be constructed such that it includes a vertical bar 18 and a horizontal bar 20. Each bar 18, 20 may also include a front face 21, 21′ and a rear face 22, 22′. However, it will be appreciated that the body 12 may also be designed in a variety of other shapes (or include more than one subpart), including (but not limited to) a square (see FIG. 4), a round wreath (see FIG. 5), an oval, a teardrop, a half or split log, a star, a rectangle and an open heart. The body 12 may also be constructed as a frame (see FIG. 4) for use in connection with a mirror, window or picture. Further, the body 12 may be constructed to take on the shape of a particular object, such as a wood log. Finally, the body 12 may be constructed such that it may be used as or in connection with a wallscape.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the body 12 may be constructed of one or more layers of polystyrene. However, other polymers, metals, alloys and materials having the requisite light weight and strength may also be used to construct the body 12. When constructed of polystyrene, the body 12 may be cut or molded into a shape that is predetermined by the user. Where the predetermined shape for the body 12 is a cross (see FIGS. 1-3), the vertical 18 and horizontal 20 bars of the body 12 may be formed from a stack of several sheets of polystyrene (i.e., laminated). Alternatively, the bars 18, 20 may be constructed from a single elongated section of polystyrene. As best shown in FIG. 3, a pair of channels or recesses 24, 26 may be defined in the vertical portion 18 and horizontal 20 bars of the body 12 to aid in mounting the bars 18, 20 together. More specifically, the channels 24, 26 may operate to engage each other such that the horizontal bar 20 may be secured (using an adhesive or the like) to the vertical bar 18.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a media device 28 may be positioned in a recess 30 defined in the body 14 of the display apparatus 10. The media device 26 may include a digital audio recording and/or playback device (such as a midi record/player). Additionally, or alternatively, the media device may include a lighting assembly having a power supply, one or more lights positioned on the body, a switch, and a programmable lighting control circuit for programming a light display sequence. As a still further addition or alternative, the media device may include a video display having a screen 32 that may extend through or be visible through an opening 34 in the front face 21 of the body 12. For example, the media device 28 may include an LCD or plasma screen or monitor.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the covering material 14 may include a contact paper or a vinyl covering that may be adhered to the body 12. It will be appreciated that the covering material 14 may be colored according to the needs of the user. It will also be appreciated that, depending upon the material used in the construction of the body 12, the use of the covering material 14 may promote adhesion of the plurality of strips 16 of material to the body 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the plurality of strips 16 of material may include strips of birch bark 36. The birch 36 may be adhered over the covering material 14 in a partially overlaid pattern. Once positioned to the covering material 14, the curl, curling, or otherwise raised appearance of the bark 36 (or other material) may provide the display 10 with a rough overall texture such that the display apparatus 10 may take on the appearance of having been constructed entirely of natural materials.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of strips 16 of material need only be applied to that portion of the display apparatus 10 that is visible or otherwise intended to be viewed. However, it will be appreciated that the plurality of strips 16 of material may be adhered such that the entire display apparatus 12 is covered by strips 16 of material. In addition to the strips 16, other natural or synthetic materials (such as moss 38, lichens or other plant life commonly found growing on trees (or artificial versions thereof) may also be applied to the covering material 14 or the strips 16.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, one or more floral arrangements 40 (e.g., flowers) or floral accessories (e.g., flags, ribbons, streamers, toys, banners, candy, pictures, etc.) may be positioned on or secured to the display apparatus 10. Further, when polystyrene or a similar material is used in the construction of the body 14, it will be appreciated that the floral arrangement and/or accessory may be easily mounted to the body 14 by piercing the body 14 or otherwise securing the arrangement/accessory directly to the body 14.

Having thus described my invention, various improvements that do not depart from the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art. 

1. A display apparatus comprising: a body; a covering material that is adhered to the body; and a plurality of strips of material that are adhered in an overlaying pattern to the covering material such that the display apparatus takes on the appearance of a natural wood product.
 2. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises polystyrene.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a shape of the body is selected from a group consisting of a cross, a square, a round wreath, an oval, a teardrop, a split log, a star, a rectangle and an open heart.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a picture frame.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a mirror frame.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a window frame.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a media device positioned on the body.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the media device comprises a lighting assembly.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the media device comprises an audio recording and playback device.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 7, wherein the media device comprises a video monitor.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strips of materials comprise strips of birch bark.
 12. A display apparatus comprising: a body; a covering material that is adhered to the body; a plurality of strips of material that are adhered in an overlaying pattern to the covering material such that the display apparatus takes on the appearance of a natural wood product; and at least one of a floral arrangement or a floral accessory.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the strips of materials comprise strips of birch bark.
 14. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body comprises polystyrene.
 15. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein a shape of the body is selected from a group consisting of a cross, a square, a round wreath, an oval, a teardrop, a split log, a star, a rectangle and an open heart.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body further comprises a picture frame.
 17. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body further comprises a mirror frame.
 18. The display apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body further comprises a window frame.
 19. The display apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a media device positioned on the body. 